A crescent is a 2D shape known for its lunar form. It is a circular disk with a portion of another disk removed from it so that what remains is a shape enclosed by two circular arcs intersecting at two points. In simpler terms, crescent shapes are made when two circles overlap or one circle is removed from another. In a crescent, the enclosed shape does not include the center of the original disk.
As we’ve mentioned, crescent shapes are made when two circles overlap or when one circle is removed from another. However, more properties make crescents unique. This includes:
- Crescents have one line of symmetry.
- The perimeter of crescents is made from two circular arcs.
A crescent is most commonly used to represent the moon as it goes through various lunar phases described as crescents. However, in planetary terms, depending on how lit a body is (like the moon), its shape will differ, which is where the other lunar crescents come into play.
Fun fact: A crescent represents the moon and silver in chemistry!
